Clint Eastwood Says Beyonce Is The Next Ella Fitzgerald

17 Comments

• | Reply

• Kool | January 23, 2012 10:41 PMReply

  I almost spit out the water I was drinking when I read that headline....

• SR | January 17, 2012 6:40 PMReply

  Obviously Clint Eastwood has forgotten the vocal dexterity that Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn possessed. Beyonce is less of a vocalist than she is a performer. She's an amazing performer, but an average vocalist.

• Akimbo | January 18, 2012 1:52 AM

  Whaaat? I'm not a huge fan of her music, but even I can admit that Beyonce is a pretty great and dexterous singer. I get disagreeing with Clint's statement, but no need to downplay Knowles' talent to do so. For average singers, see vocal lightweights like Faith Evans, Janet Jackson, Keri Hilson, Mya, Kandi, et al who are just tiny steps above the non-singing Britney Spears, Rihanna, Ashanti, Ciara, Madonna, so on.

• MM | January 16, 2012 8:07 PMReply

  Comparisons are always problematic, particularly when we are talking inter-generational ones. It is sad to me though to read the comments as people seem to be waiting with baited breath to say something negative. Yes Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald are American icons. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing them both sing in person (saw Ella 5 times, Sarah once at Carnegie Hall). I have also seen Beyonce perform in person too. Sarah and Ella were jazz divas. Beyonce is a very good pop singer, dancer and performer and her music is different. I would love to have seen Ella and Sarah sing and dance simultaneously but alas it was not their thing! Different times, different expectations. Sarah had her style, Ella had hers, Beyonce has hers. What I find troubling and unfortunate about all the comments is that everyone seems so ready to tear Beyonce down. Whassup with that? Sarah and Ella had tremendous cultural influence on the American landscape and were relevant for decades and Beyonce is well on her way of having a similar impact. I, for one, am interested in seeing how she continues to redefine her persona and shape the music world.

• alison crockett | January 16, 2012 7:22 PMReply

  Ok, as a musician and a vocalist...this is not the coolest statement by eastwood. I think Beyonce is a great singer and a good actress. She's a wonderful entertainer, has a great ear and is a good songwriter. However, jazz is a different art form and to ask beyonce to sing something that she has no real background in, is frankly a way to sell movie tickets, because it's not about making sure the music is authentic. If she has to be introduced to the fundamentals of jazz and then she's going to sing it...nope, can't roll with you there. I hope the movie goes well, but we're not talking Etta James, we're talking straight ahead jazz. I hope she really works hard to live up to the statements that Eastwood makes...

• Jai | January 16, 2012 5:42 PMReply

  He's entilted to his opinion but I don't think it's a fair comparison.

• Nicole | January 16, 2012 5:00 PMReply

  I don't know what to say about this. But I will say this: I have no faith that Beyonce will ever show us anything different as an actress. I don't care if she is working with Clint Eastwood. I'm sorry but I don't. I just don't think she has what it takes. *shrug*

• jp | January 16, 2012 4:21 PMReply

  I not a hater , but Beyonce is not Ella Fitzgerald. Plus, she doesn't have the vocals to sing jazz music. Remember Diana Ross tried to sing jazz .

• Orville | January 16, 2012 9:24 PM

  Yes Diana Ross sang jazz and remember Diana was nominated for the best actress Oscar in 1972 for Lady Sings the Blues! The critics said Diana's singing and interpretation of Billie Holiday's songs was amazing! The only reason Diana did not win was because the Oscar voters wanted to praise Liza Minnelli because her mother Judy Garland died in 1969.

• LeonRaymond | January 16, 2012 4:17 PMReply

  Whoa, whoa whoa, Please do not in any way shape or form put Beyonce in the same class as Sara or Ella, who had to deal with extreme racism and degrading hurled at them. and both who were held in the highest esteem by every person , solider, maid , busboy, artist and actor from France to Germany during their times. there were no software that would help both of these Ladies, both were very careful of their appearences as to how it related to the Black human race. And the bottom line is Class, Beyonce has a long way too go before she can even take a seat next to those names. Those two women are postage stamps, monuments of what Black life is. Clint is going work her butt off and he is known for 1 or 2 takes while she needs 8 just to get ready. I wish both of those ladies were around to teach these so called singers like Beyonce what class really means!!!!!

• Tamara | January 17, 2012 12:52 AM

  Basically, THIS.

• Miles Ellison | January 16, 2012 4:16 PMReply

  This has crap written all over it.

• Joseph | January 16, 2012 3:41 PMReply

  Also, as black people we need stop dogging each other out when we get super super successful. That is all I got to say. Check yourself.

• Sergio | January 16, 2012 4:47 PM

  I'm not "checking" anything as long as I can help it

• Joseph | January 16, 2012 3:38 PMReply

  I think there is a little bit biased coming from you Sergio. What he means is Beyonce carries herself like a star. Back in the day, stars were more reserved and more personal in person or on read carpets for public, but of coarse no artist can be reserved musically and still be successful. I'm not sure why there is negativity because she is a pop star. Not every black star who is crossover is not a fad. Just because someone is young doesn't mean they can't be a legend someday. Sarah Vaughn was for her time what Beyonce is for her time.

• Vio12 | January 16, 2012 1:03 PMReply

  Also marks Bedonkey's fifth time playing a singer. Gotta love ol girl's range as an "actress."

• Akim | January 16, 2012 11:31 PM

  Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand always sang in their movies. Stop hating